Is Wood Recyclable In BC?

Please Note:
Wood is NOT ACCEPTED at any of our Regional Recycling locations but… there are some other places you can take it.

Wood waste offers versatile opportunities for reuse and recycling, transforming it into valuable resources such as building materials, landscaping mulch, paper pulp, and fuel. This not only provides economic benefits but also significantly reduces the demand for deforestation. In Canada, acceptable wood waste materials are often up to 100% recyclable. Understanding what constitutes acceptable wood waste and where to recycle it is crucial for effective waste management.

Clean wood, in particular, can be repurposed into various products like animal bedding, mulch, compost, paper, cardboard, and chipboard. Its excellent condition also makes it ideal for creating new wood products such as furniture, flooring, and decking.

In British Columbia, there are numerous facilities and programs dedicated to wood recycling. However, it’s advisable to contact these locations beforehand to confirm they accept your specific type of wood and to familiarize yourself with any specific requirements they may have. This ensures a smooth and efficient recycling process.

Recycle Wood at a Private Recycling Facility:

Urban Wood Waste Recyclers:

Urban Wood Waste Recyclers, located in Vancouver, specializes in accepting and recycling various types of wood waste, including construction and demolition materials. Their commitment to sustainability helps divert wood waste from landfills, transforming it into reusable resources and contributing to environmental conservation. This facility plays a crucial role in promoting eco-friendly practices within the community by efficiently managing and recycling wood waste.

Urban Wood Waste Recyclers

+1 604-527-4060
4 Spruce St, New Westminster, BC V3L 5G6, Canada
Urban Wood Waste Recyclers

Cascades Recovery:

Cascades Recovery is a facility that accepts wood and a variety of other recyclable materials, promoting sustainable waste management practices. With several locations across British Columbia, Cascades Recovery is dedicated to diverting waste from landfills and converting it into valuable resources. Their widespread presence and comprehensive recycling services make them a key player in the region’s efforts to enhance environmental conservation and resource recovery.

Recycling Alternative:

Recycling Alternative, based in Vancouver, offers comprehensive recycling services, including wood recycling. They are dedicated to promoting sustainability by efficiently managing and repurposing various materials. Through their services, Recycling Alternative helps reduce landfill waste and supports eco-friendly practices within the community, making a positive impact on the environment.

Recycling Alternative

+1 604-874-7283
info@recyclingalternative.com
449 Industrial Avenue Vancouver, BC, V6A 2P8
Recycling Alternative

Other Places To Recycle Or Reuse Wood:

Habitat for Humanity ReStores:

Habitat for Humanity ReStores frequently accept donations of reusable wood and construction materials. These donations are then sold in their stores, with the proceeds supporting Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build affordable housing for those in need. By donating to ReStores, you not only divert materials from landfills but also contribute to a charitable cause that makes a meaningful difference in the community.

Home Depot: 

Home Depot offers wood recycling services at some of its locations. These services help customers dispose of their wood waste responsibly, promoting environmental sustainability. It is advisable to check with your local Home Depot store for the availability of wood recycling services and any specific requirements they may have.

Green Bin:

The Green Bin program is an essential component of eco-friendly waste management, offering a sustainable solution for disposing of yard waste. Residents can place various types of organic debris, including branches, root balls, and stumps, into their Green Bins. This system ensures that these natural materials are effectively composted rather than ending up in landfills, where they would contribute to methane emissions. By utilizing the Green Bin for yard waste, communities can significantly reduce their environmental footprint, promote healthier ecosystems, and contribute to the production of nutrient-rich compost that can be reused in gardens and landscaping projects.

Transfer Station or Landfill:

For those with excess yard waste and wood that cannot fit in their Green Bins, the transfer station or landfill offers an alternative for composting. These facilities accept a variety of clean, unfinished wood, including solid wood and wooden pallets, as long as they are unpainted, unstained, untreated, and free of glue. It’s acceptable for the wood to have nails, screws, and staples, making it easier to dispose of construction or demolition waste. The dimensions for acceptable wood are up to 45 cm in diameter and 2.6 meters in length. Although there is a fee for this service, it ensures that organic waste is composted rather than discarded in landfills, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Compost:

Composting wood waste is an effective method to manage organic materials sustainably. This process significantly reduces waste volume and detoxifies the material, transforming it into a valuable product that can be used as a soil amendment. By composting wood waste, the organic matter content in the soil is increased, which enhances its water-holding capacity and improves its texture. These benefits not only contribute to healthier plant growth but also promote a more robust and resilient ecosystem. Through composting, we turn what was once considered waste into a resource that supports sustainable agricultural and landscaping practices.

Ecowaste Landfill:

Ecowaste Landfill is dedicated to sustainable waste management by recycling a variety of waste streams. Their services include the recycling of yard waste, construction wood, and clean wood. By diverting these materials from traditional landfill disposal, Ecowaste Landfill helps reduce the environmental impact of waste, promoting the reuse and repurposing of valuable organic and construction materials. This approach not only conserves landfill space but also supports eco-friendly practices by transforming waste into resources that can be reintegrated into the environment or used in new construction projects.

Vancouver Landfill and Recycling Depot

+1 (604) 276-9511
info@ecowaste.com
3031 Viking Way, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, Unit 100
Vancouver Landfill and Recycling Depot

Furniture Made of Wood:

When dealing with furniture made of wood, consider donating usable items to a charity thrift shop or offering them to family or friends. Alternatively, you can list the items in your local Facebook Group, Facebook Marketplace, or on free online platforms like Craigslist, Freecycle.org, or Usedvancouver.com. Charitable organizations, such as Homestart Foundation and Helping Families in Need Society, also work to help those in need acquire furniture, making them excellent options for donations.

If the furniture is no longer reusable and is made of wood or plastic, it can be disposed of as garbage at the Transfer Station or Vancouver Landfill. Regular disposal fees apply, but this ensures that the furniture is managed responsibly and does not contribute unnecessarily to landfill waste.

NOT ACCEPTED

Regional Recycling

Regional Recycling does not accept any wood product for recycling.

Blue Recycling Bin

Wood and timber are not accepted in your household recycling

Treated Wood Is Not Recyclable 

Treated wood is not recyclable due to the harmful chemicals used in its treatment processes. Painted, treated, pressure-treated, varnished, and other finished wood contain substances that make them unsafe for recycling or use in gardens. These chemicals, such as lead, Teflon, and mercury, pose significant environmental and health risks. Most lumber recycling facilities do not accept creosote or pressure-treated wood products or lumber with lead-based paint due to these hazards. Proper disposal of treated wood is essential to avoid contaminating soil and water sources and to ensure safe waste management practices.

Can You Burn Wood In Vancouver?

In Vancouver, burning wood or any other material requires a permit. This includes waste, paper, wood, vegetation, or any flammable substance that is burned in the ambient air or in a receptacle where emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Additionally, wood-burning appliances and fire pits are prohibited on both private and public property within the city.

It’s important to note that burning lumber is particularly harmful as it releases toxic smoke due to the treatment processes used to prevent mildew and rot in building or construction projects. The same risks apply to painted or stained wood, which can emit hazardous chemicals when burned. These regulations and restrictions are in place to protect both human health and the environment from the detrimental effects of wood smoke and other airborne pollutants.